There’s plenty of reasons for users to hang on to Microsoft’s Windows 10, despite the availability of a newer version of its operating system. The more common issues are hardware-related, where certain systems fail to meet the next-gen platform’s minimum requirements. But whatever your reasons for not upgrading may be, the company has announced a solution that will help you enjoy the last-gen OS a bit longer. However, it does involve a paid subscription.
For the first time ever, Microsoft has introduced an extended security update subscription to all of its customers. More specifically for those who wish to continue using its Windows 10 operating system once its support officially ends in October 2025. Unlike its prior Extended Support Updates (ESU) for Windows 7 which was only offered to the company’s commercial-based customers, this newer iteration will be available to regular users as well.
“If you are an individual consumer or an organisation who elects to continue using Windows 10 after support ends on October 14, 2025, you will have the option of enrolling your PC in the paid Extended Security Updates (ESU) program,” Microsoft wrote on its official support page. “The ESU programme enables PCs to continue to receive Critical and Important security updates through an annual subscription service after support ends.”
Unfortunately, pricing for the Windows 10 ESU is still unknown at this time, but the company promises to announce the cost and enrollment conditions closer to the end-of-support date in October 2025. Another thing to note is that the subscription will only provide you with security updates, meaning to say that newer features or quality-of-life additions will no longer be developed for the platform. Additionally, the company says these are only offered for a maximum of three years after end of support for Windows 10 on enrolled PCs.
So what will happen if you choose not to subscribe to the ESU? According to Microsoft, your Windows 10 PCs will continue to work regardless, sans newer security fixes. Regardless, it is still urging users to upgrade to its newest operating system for a better experience in features, functionality and security.
